How to Change Your Race in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide

Skyrim is known for its immersive gameplay, rich storyline, and deep character customization. One of the key features of the game is the ability to choose your character’s race, which affects your starting abilities and playstyle. However, many players wonder: can you change your race in Skyrim mid-game? Whether you made a mistake during character creation or you’re looking for a fresh perspective, this guide will show you how to change your race in Skyrim, no matter what platform you’re playing on. We’ll cover everything from in-game options to console commands and mods.

Understanding Race in Skyrim

Before we dive into how to change your race, let’s briefly examine why race matters in Skyrim and the available options.

The Importance of Race in Skyrim

In Skyrim, your chosen race affects various aspects of gameplay:

1. Starting skills and abilities
2. Racial powers (unique abilities tied to each race)
3. NPC interactions and dialogue options
4. Resistance to certain elements or effects

With ten playable races, each offering unique benefits, it’s understandable why players might want to change their race mid-game.

Available Races in Skyrim

1. Nords
2. Imperials
3. Bretons
4. Redguards
5. Altmer (High Elves)
6. Bosmer (Wood Elves)
7. Dunmer (Dark Elves)
8. Orsimer (Orcs)
9. Khajiit
10. Argonians

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Why Change Your Race in Skyrim?

Changing your race can dramatically alter your gameplay experience in Skyrim. Each race in the game comes with unique abilities, attributes, and bonuses that can impact how you interact with the world. For example, Nords have a natural resistance to frost, while Bretons have an innate resistance to magic. Depending on your character’s build and the direction you want to take your story, you may want to switch races to better fit your playstyle.

Common Reasons for Wanting to Change Your Race:

• Better character build: Perhaps you started as a warrior but want to switch to a mage. Changing to a race with a magic affinity, such as Altmer or Breton, can improve your performance.
• Aesthetic preferences: You may want to switch for purely visual reasons—perhaps you prefer the appearance of a Khajiit or Argonian.
• Mistakes during character creation: It’s easy to get lost in the vast customization options and realize later that you made the wrong choice.

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Can You Change Your Race in Skyrim Mid-Game?

The short answer is yes, but it requires using specific methods. Is there a way to change your race in Skyrim without starting a new game? Absolutely. However, it’s important to understand that changing your race can sometimes come with its own set of challenges.

Here’s a look at how you can change your race in Skyrim on different platforms.

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How to Change Your Race in Skyrim on PC

PC players have the most options when it comes to changing races in Skyrim. Let’s explore the methods available:

Using Console Commands to Change Your Race in Skyrim

One of the easiest ways to change your race on PC is by using console commands. Here’s how:

1. Open the console by pressing the tilde (~) key.
2. Type “showracemenu” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. The character creation menu will appear, allowing you to change your race.

However, be aware that using this method can reset some of your skills and abilities. To avoid this, use the following console command instead:

setplayerrace [race ID]

Replace [race ID] with the appropriate code for your desired race. For example, to change to a Nord, you’d type:

setplayerrace nordrace

Here are the race IDs for all races in Skyrim:

• NordRace
• ImperialRace
• BretonRace
• RedguardRace
• HighElfRace
• WoodElfRace
• DarkElfRace
• OrcRace
• KhajiitRace
• ArgonianRace

Note: Changing your race using the console command for change race in Skyrim does not reset your skills or perks, so be cautious if you’re switching to a race that is vastly different from your current build. Also, this method might cause issues with quests that rely on racial dialogue or abilities.

Using Mods to Change Your Race in Skyrim

For those who prefer a more immersive experience, mods offer various ways to change your race in Skyrim. Some popular mods include:

1. RaceMenu: This mod enhances the character creation system and allows you to change your race at any time.
2. Proteus: A comprehensive mod that enables race changes along with other character modifications.
3. Character Creation Overhaul: While not specifically for changing races, this mod expands character customization options.

To install mods, you’ll need a mod manager like Nexus Mod Manager or Vortex. Always read the mod descriptions carefully and follow installation instructions to ensure compatibility with your version of Skyrim.

How to Change Your Race in Skyrim on Consoles

Console players have fewer options for changing races in Skyrim, but it’s not impossible. Let’s look at the available methods for different consoles.

Can You Change Your Race in Skyrim on PS4?

Unfortunately, changing your race on PS4 is limited due to Sony’s restrictions on mods. However, there are a few options:

1. Start a new game: While not ideal, this is the most straightforward way to play as a different race.
2. Use Creation Club content: Some official add-ons may offer limited race-changing options.
3. Look for PS4-compatible mods: While rare, some mods may allow for race changes within Sony’s restrictions.

Can You Change Your Race in Skyrim on Xbox One?

Xbox One players have more modding freedom than PS4 users. To change your race on Xbox One:

1. Enable mods in the game’s main menu.
2. Search for race-changing mods in the mod browser.
3. Download and install a suitable mod (e.g., Cheat Room or RaceMenu, if available).
4. Follow the mod’s instructions to change your race in-game.

How to Change Your Race in Skyrim on Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch version of Skyrim doesn’t support mods, making it challenging to change your race mid-game. Your options are limited to:

1. Starting a new game with your desired race.
2. Using any race-changing options provided by official Creation Club content, if available.

Starting a New Game or Reloading a Previous Save

For players on Skyrim PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, the only surefire way to change your race in Skyrim on console is by starting a new game or reloading a save file from before you selected your race.

While this method is less convenient, it’s the only way to fully change your race on consoles without external modifications. If you’re early in your game, this might be a reasonable solution, but for players who are further along in their adventure, it’s less practical.

The Face Changer in Skyrim: Can It Change Your Race?

A common question among Skyrim players is whether the face sculptor in Riften can change your race. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The face sculptor, found in the Ragged Flagon, can only modify your character’s appearance within the same race. This includes:

• Facial features
• Hair style and color
• War paint
• Scars

While useful for tweaking your character’s look, the face sculptor cannot change fundamental aspects like race or gender.

Skyrim Mods That Change Race: A Closer Look

For PC and Xbox One players, mods offer the most flexible and immersive ways to change your race in Skyrim. Let’s examine some popular mods in more detail:

RaceMenu

RaceMenu is one of the most comprehensive character customization mods available. It not only allows you to change your race but also offers:

• Enhanced sliders for facial features
• Body morphs
• Texture overlays
• The ability to save and load presets

To change your race using RaceMenu:

1. Install the mod using your preferred mod manager.
2. Load your game and open the console (~).
3. Type “showracemenu” and press Enter.
4. Use the enhanced character creation menu to select your new race and customize your appearance.

Proteus

Proteus is a powerful mod that goes beyond simple race changes. It allows you to:

• Switch between multiple characters
• Change your race, skills, and appearance at any time
• Create and manage multiple player characters within the same game

To use Proteus:

1. Install the mod and its requirements.
2. In-game, use the Proteus spell or power to open its menu.
3. Navigate to the character editing options to change your race.

Character Creation Overhaul

While not specifically designed for changing races, this mod enhances the character creation process, making it more immersive and rpg-like. It allows you to:

• Choose a background for your character
• Customize starting skills based on your choices
• Enhance your character’s appearance

This mod is particularly useful if you’re starting a new game and want more control over your character’s backstory and initial abilities.

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Can Mods Help Console Players Change Their Race?

Consoles like PS4, PS5, and Xbox One do have access to some mods, but the selection is limited compared to PC. That said, some mods do allow for more character customization options, which may provide some alternatives to changing your race.

For example, some Skyrim mods that change race give players additional character creation features or modify existing races. However, these mods are not always available on console platforms, so your options will vary depending on which system you’re playing on.

Things to Consider Before Changing Your Race

While changing your race can be a great way to freshen up your Skyrim experience, there are some things to keep in mind before you do so.

1. Racial Abilities and Powers

Each race in Skyrim comes with unique abilities and powers that may not align with your current build. For example, if you’re playing as a Nord and switch to an Argonian, you’ll lose the Battle Cry ability and gain Histskin instead. Be sure to choose a race that complements your character’s skills and playstyle.

2. Quest Progression and Dialogue

Certain quests in Skyrim take your race into account. Changing your race mid-game might cause some inconsistencies in the dialogue or progression of those quests. For example, some NPCs react differently depending on your race, and switching races could lead to unexpected results in interactions.

3. Potential Bugs and Glitches

While mods and console commands offer ways to change your race in Skyrim, they can also introduce bugs and glitches. These may affect not only your character but also the overall stability of your game. Be sure to back up your save files before making any changes.

Statistics and Player Preferences

While exact statistics on race-changing in Skyrim are hard to come by, modding statistics can give us some insight into player preferences:

• According to Nexus Mods, race-related mods for Skyrim have been downloaded millions of times.
• RaceMenu, one of the most popular race-changing mods, has over 20 million downloads as of 2023.
• A survey of 1,000 Skyrim players found that approximately 30% have used mods or console commands to change their character’s race at least once.

These numbers suggest that the ability to change races is a desired feature among a significant portion of Skyrim players.

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Diverse Perspectives on Race-Changing in Skyrim

The topic of changing races in Skyrim has sparked various discussions in the gaming community:

1. Roleplaying purists argue that changing races goes against the spirit of the game and diminishes the importance of initial character choices.
2. Casual players appreciate the flexibility to experiment with different races without starting a new game.
3. Modders see race-changing as part of a broader customization culture that enhances the game’s replayability.
4. Some players use race-changing to create unique storylines, such as a character discovering their true heritage mid-game.

FAQs.

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Conclusion

While the vanilla version of Skyrim doesn’t offer an official way to change your race mid-game, the vibrant modding community and console commands provide numerous options for players who wish to alter their character’s race. Whether you’re on PC, console, or even the Nintendo Switch, there are methods available to change your race in Skyrim, each with its own pros and cons.

Remember, the joy of Skyrim lies in creating your own adventure. If changing your race enhances your gaming experience, don’t hesitate to explore the options available to you. Just be sure to back up your saves and proceed with caution when using mods or console commands.

Have you ever changed your race in Skyrim? What method did you use, and how did it impact your gameplay? Share your experiences in the comments below!

References:

https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/f/p/2777666633596929718

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=223252230